Campervan expands into motorhome, of sorts

The Doubleback Van is a converted Volkswagen Transporter that not only pops up like a traditional campervan, it expands out the back too. Here is video of the electrical mechanism in action. The Doubleback is pretty slick and all, but it's $87,000. For my next Bigfoot expedition, I'd be happier hopping in our Jason's new old 1987 Westy. (More on that once the renovations commence.)

I don’t think anybody buying this van expects it to post a good time on the Nuremburg Ring. Really, this just seems to be a step between a conversion van and an full on camper van. The price tag looks a might high to my American eyes though. I’m betting you can get yourself a real nice full size camper for $87k.

> I’m betting you can get yourself a real nice
> full size camper for $87k.

But then you couldn’t park in a regular parking space, or drive down dirt roads, or even drive into parking lots without worrying about getting stuck. Big RVs are great for interstates, but interstates are no fun.

I think the American market is badly underserved by small RVs. I’m not saying I think the van in this article is a good option (I think its ridiculous), but I appreciate the attempt. I have a 1990 Ford Chinook camper, which at 20 feet is considered tiny by American RV standards, although I consider it a bit too big. But oddly there’s a cult market for them since they’re one of the only decent smaller RVs around.

That said, I think Westys and all the VW conversions are too small. My first campervan was a 1980 Westphalia, and setting aside the fact that it broke down all the damn time, it was just a small step up from camping in the station wagon I had before it. I stand by the maxim that a camper without a furnace isn’t a camper. And if your camper doesn’t have a little diner nook where at least 4 people can sit comfortably and take in the scenery, you’re doing it wrong.